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SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
5:30 p.m.
Executive Conference Room, Administration Building
100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina
1. CALL TO ORDER – 5:30 P.M.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. REVIEW OF MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 (backup)
4. REVIEW OF REVISED CHAPTER 6: CULTURAL RESOURCES (backup)
5. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Next Meeting – Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at 5:30 p.m.
6. ADJOURNMENT
In accordance with South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, Section 30-4-80(d), as amended, all local media was duly
notified of the time, date, place and agenda of this meeting.
COUNTY COUNCIL OF BEAUFORT COUNTY BEAUFORT COUNTY PLANNING DIVISION
Multi-Government Center 100 Ribaut Road, Room 115 Post Office Drawer 1228, Beaufort SC 29901-1228 Phone: (843) 255-2140 FAX: (843) 255-9432
The special meeting of the Beaufort County Planning Commission (hereinafter “Commission”)
was held on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, in Executive Conference Room 170, the Beaufort
County Administration Building at 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina.
Members Present:
Mr. Robert Semmler, Chairman Mr. Charles Brown Mr. Marque Fireall
Mr. George Johnston Mr. Edward Riley III Mr. Randolph Stewart
Members Absent: Ms. Diane Chmelik, Ms. Carolyn Davis, and Mr. Eric Walsnovich
Staff Present:
Mr. Anthony J. Criscitiello, Planning Director
Ms. Delores Frazier, Assistant Planning Director
Mr. Robert Merchant, Long-range Planner
Ms. Barbara Childs, Administrative Assistant to the Planning Director
Ms. Allison Coppage, Staff Attorney
Other Attendees: Reed Armstrong, Coastal Conservation League
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Robert Semmler called the meeting to order at approximately
5:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Semmler led those assembled in the Executive Conference
Room with the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
REVIEW OF REVISED CHAPTER 4: LAND USE
Mr. Robert Merchant briefed the Commissioners regarding the staff changes to the chapter, as
recommended by the Commission:
Page 4-4: Changed the 11% uncommitted lands in Southern Beaufort County to 9.4%
due to the purchases made by the Rural and Critical Land Preservation Program (RCLPP)
and new planned unit developments (PUDs).
Figures 4-1 and 4-2 show updated calculations.
Changed all references of Zoning Development Standards Ordinance (ZDSO) to
Community Development Code (CDC).
Page 4:12: Updated the Greenprint process and changed the Rural & Critical Land
Preservation Program (RCLPP) consultant/administrator to Beaufort County Open Land
Trust (Commission discussion included the maintenance of RCLPP properties, and
turning the land purchases into revenue returns so that the program can pay for itself).
Pg. 4-23: Future Land Use Plan: Hilton Head Island uses its zoning map as their future
land use map because of its mature developed community.
Page 4-30: Added wording “local and traditional” and “avoid commercial fishing
activities that are detrimental to the water quality and the environment.” (Discussion by
Commissioners included the aquifer recharge, encouraging stormwater into the soil
COUNTY COUNCIL OF BEAUFORT COUNTY BEAUFORT COUNTY PLANNING DIVISION
Beaufort County Government Robert Smalls Complex County Administration Building, 100 Ribaut Road, Room 115 Mailing: Post Office Drawer 1228, Beaufort SC 29901-1228
Phone: (843) 255-2140 FAX: (843) 255-9432
Special Planning Commission meeting
September 15, 2015 / Page 2 of 3
rather than the river, addressing the issue in the Comprehensive Plan, recommending an
additional comment regarding concern with setbacks, the critical concern of our water
quality /staff noting that coastal waters were addressed in Chapter 5, that the southern
part of Hilton Head uses water from the aquifer, that it was hard to tie ground water
hard to a land use policy, that most public water is from the Savannah River, concern
that the Savannah River supply with be reduced by piping water to Atlanta, addressing
future threats should a large industry require water, the future port in Jasper County,
and attaching a memo addressing the major concerns of the Commission to County
Council.)
Page 4-36 thru 4-45: Staff explained the changes and rationale of the Recommendations.
Page 4-42: Commission asked for clarification on who does the review in
Recommendation 4-10.
Page 4-43: Added Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in Recommendation 4-2.
(Discussion included the City of Ridgeland annexation that was not shown on the map.
Ms. Allison Coppage, the Staff Attorney, will research the annexation and report back to
the Commission.)
Commission discussion included the abandonment of Planned Unit Developments
(PUDs) and the effects thereof; noting that gated communities do not have to be PUDs,
i.e. Spring Island and Heyward Point (Altamaha); and that gated communities are still
permitted, but harder to obtain.
REVIEW OF MINUTES: The Commission reviewed the August 11, 2015, meeting minutes.
Discussion by the Commission included concern for the 8-foot porch requirement. Motion: Mr.
Randolph Stewart made a motion, and Mr. George Johnston seconded the motion, to approve
the August 11, 2015, meeting minutes as written. The motion carried (FOR: Brown, Fireall,
Johnston, Riley, Semmler, and Stewart; ABSENT: Chmelik, Davis, Walsnovich).
Additional discussion by Commissioners included:
Adding tourism to Goal 7/page 4-2 (staff stated it was under the economic development
chapter).
The chapter looking excellent, in principal.
Page 4-42: Correcting the name “Southern Beaufort County Corridor Beautification
Board.”
The Sea Level Rise Study that the Staff is awaiting its completion.
Adding off-shore drilling and testing in the memo to County Council; adding the topic in
the Comprehensive Plan that it threatens water quality; concern with redevelopment of
beach front property; the Comprehensive Plan being the responsibility of the Planning
Commission; the County’s role / rights regarding such polities; the Staff’s role regarding
recommending such policies; noting the state’s position on this policy; the Federal
mandate on this policy; and an example where the citizens stopped off shore drilling rigs
in Bluffton.
OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Semmler noted that the next special Planning Commission meeting
would occur on September 15th, and not the 8th
as indicated on the agenda. The regular Planning
Commission meeting will be on September 3rd. Mr. Semmler wants to receive the revised
Special Planning Commission meeting
September 15, 2015 / Page 3 of 3
chapters at the special meeting, and he does not want a page by page review at the regular
meeting. He wants the special meetings to be one-hour long.
ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Semmler adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:31 p.m. with no
objections from the Commissioners.
SUBMITTED BY: ___________________________________________
Barbara Childs, Admin. Assistant to the Planning Director
____________________________________________
Robert Semmler, Beaufort County Planning Commission Chairman
APPROVED: October 13, 2015, as written (no video recording occurred)
Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Review – Cultural Resources Summary of Revisions Page 1
Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan
Cultural Resources – Summary of Revisions
This document accompanies the Chapter 6: Cultural Resources of the Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan as revised as part of the 5 year review. In the accompanying document all proposed changes are highlighted. Additions are indicated as underlined; deletions are indicated as strikethrough.
Introduction – No revisions.
Historic and Archaeological Resources
RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION – The footnote in the first paragraph was revised to recognize that the City of Beaufort has made available the Above Ground Historic Resources Survey.
EXISTING REGULATORY FRAMEWORK – Language under the Historic Preservation District Ordinance heading was revised to recognize the incorporation of these standards in the Community Development Code; clarification that these standards only apply to the unincorporated County; and that a Certificate of Appropriateness is issued for projects that meet the ordinance.
OTHER PLANNING AND PRESERVATION EFFORTS – Language was added to recognize preservation efforts in private gated communities such as Dataw Island, Spring Island, and Haig Point.
VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE – No revisions.
CONCLUSIONS – No revisions.
Scenic Highways and Byways
EXISTING PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT EFFORTS – The language was revised to recognize new architectural, landscaping and lighting standards in the Community Development Code and the replacement of the Corridor Review Boards with the Design Review Board. A paragraph was added to address the Canopy Roads Brochure. A paragraph was added to address the Southern Beaufort County Corridor Beautification Board.
CONCLUSIONS – The conclusion was revised to recognize changes in ordinances.
Maritime Heritage – The sidebar was updated to the most recent figures available from the
National Marine Fisheries Service.
LOCAL SEAFOOD INDUSTRY – Information was updated on Port Royal Seafood to reflect current situation.
RECREATIONAL FISHING AND BOATING – Boat registration information and projections were updated. A revision was made to recognize that the City of Beaufort owned and maintained the Pigeon Point Boat Ramp.
OTHER WATER ACCESS ISSUES – The number of fishing piers was revised.
CONCLUSIONS – No revisions.
6
Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Review – Cultural Resources Summary of Revisions Page 2
Agricultural Heritage – No revisions. HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE IN BEAUFORT COUNTY – No revisions.
EXISTING CONDITIONS– Information on the total acreage of farmland and number of individual
farms was updated to reflect the 2012 USDA Census of Agriculture. Table 6-1 was revised as well.
LOCAL MARKETING INITIATIVES – The wording was simplified to recognize that specific
information about farmers markets change year to year. References to the Small Farmer
Wholesale Auction Market were removed since this program is no longer in effect.
CONCLUSIONS – A small revision was made recognizing that the wholesale auction market was
not currently in operation.
Military Heritage – The Broad River was revised to Port Royal Sound to be more historically and
geographically accurate.
MILITARY HISTORY – No revisions.
RECENT MILITARY ACTIVITY – A small revision was made to recognize the F35B Joint Strike
Fighter and the change in mission at MCAS Beaufort.
CONCLUSIONS – No revisions.
Gullah Culture – No revisions.
ISSUES AFFECTING GULLAH CULTURE IN BEAUFORT COUNTY – No revisions.
LOCAL INITIATIVES TO PRESERVE GULLAH HERITAGE – A revision was made to the Corners
Area Community Preservation District to recognize the more recent work of the CP Committee
and the new zoning districts adopted as part of the Community Development Code.
GULLAH/GEECHEE CULTURAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR – The language was updated to
recognize the completion of the Management Plan.
CONCLUSIONS – No revisions.
Visual and Performing Arts – Revise if more current data is available.
PERFORMANCE VENUES – An update was made to recognize the performance space within
the ARTworks Community Art Center in Beaufort.
MUSEUMS – The Heyward House, Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center, and upcoming
Santa Elena Foundation Interpretive Center were added. The paragraph was revised in bullet
format for ease in reading.
EDUCATION AND SUPPORT – The language was revised to reflect current information on the
Arts Council of Beaufort County. On the sidebar, Art Works Magazine was removed since it is no
longer published. A photograph was added showing the Black Box Theater at the ARTworks
Community Arts Center in Beaufort.
CONCLUSIONS – No revisions.
Recommendations
Recommendation 6-1: Archaeological and Historic Resources – No revisions.
Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Review – Cultural Resources Summary of Revisions Page 3
Recommendation 6-2: Archaeological and Historic Resources – Public Outreach – No revisions.
Recommendation 6-3: Rural Vernacular Architecture – No Revisions.
Recommendation 6-4: Scenic Highways and Byways – The first bullet point was revised to recognize the Southern Beaufort County Corridor Beautification Board. The second bullet was revised to remove reference to the Corridor Overlay District. A fifth bullet was added calling for better coordination with SCDOT and utility companies on tree trimming activities.
Recommendation 6-5: Maritime Heritage – Working Waterfronts – No revisions.
Recommendation 6-6: Maritime Heritage – Recreational Boating and Fishing – The fourth bullet was removed since it has been implemented.
Recommendation 6-7: Maritime Heritage – On-Shore Fishing - No revisions.
Recommendation 6-8: Maritime Heritage – Small Watercraft – No revisions.
Recommendation 6-9: Maritime Heritage – Funding – No revisions.
Recommendation 6-10: Agricultural Heritage – Regulatory Framework – No revisions.
Recommendation 6-11: Agricultural Heritage – Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program – A third bullet was added calling for coordination with USDA on agricultural preservation.
Recommendation 6-12: Agricultural Heritage – Markets – The recommendation was simplified to remove dated information.
Recommendation 6-13: Agricultural Heritage – Local Foods – A fourth bullet point was added calling for community gardens and farms in urban areas.
Recommendation 6-14: Military Heritage – The third bullet was revised to reflect the new name for the overlay district. A fifth bullet was added calling for the implementation of the JLUS.
Recommendation 6-15: Gullah Culture – The eighth bullet was revised to recognize the adoption of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Management Plan.
Recommendation 6-16: Visual and Performing Arts – The third bullet was revised to simply call for more venues, classrooms and galleries to support local artists and performers.
Beaufort County Comprehensive
Plan
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Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan
Cultural Resources
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Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan
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Table of Contents
Int roduct ion…………………………………………… 6-1 Histor ic and Archaeological Resources…… … 6-2
Resource Identification……………………………………………. 6-2 Existing Regulatory Framework…………………………………… 6-3 Other Planning and Preservation Efforts………………………….. 6-4 Vernacular Architecture…………………………………………... 6-4 Conclusions………………………………………………………... 6-5
Scenic Highways and Byways…………………… 6-6
Existing Preservation and Enhancement Efforts…………………... 6-6 Conclusions………………………………………………………... 6-7
Mari t ime Heri tage…………………………………… 6-8
Local Seafood Industry……………………………………………. 6-8 Recreational Fishing and Boating………………………………….. 6-10 Other Water Access Issues………………………………………. 6-10 Conclusions……………………………………………………….. 6-10
Agricul tural Her i tage………………………………. 6-11
History of Agriculture in Beaufort County……………………….. 6-11 Existing Conditions………………………………………………... 6-12 Local Marketing Initiatives………………………………………… 6-13 Conclusions……………………………………………………….. 6-13
Mil i tary Heritage…………………………………… . . 6-15
Military History…………………………………………………… 6-15 Recent Military Activity…………………………………………… 6-17 Conclusions……………………………………………………….. 6-17
Gullah Culture………………………………………… 6-18 Issues Affecting Gullah Culture in Beaufort County……………… 6-18 Local Initiatives to Preserve Gullah Heritage……………………... 6-19 Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor……………………... 6-19 Conclusions……………………………………………………….. 6-20
Visual and Performing Arts…………………… ….. 6-21
Performance Venues………………………………………………. 6-21 Museums…………………………………………………………… 6-22 Education and Support…………………………………………….. 6-22 Conclusions……………………………………………………….. 6-22
Recommendat ions…………………………………… 6-24
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Introduction
Beaufort County is one of America's historic and cultural treasures, a
place where history and tradition are reflected in a vibrant landscape
that provides a tangible link between past, present and future
generations. Beaufort's attractiveness as a place to live and work, as a
destination for visitors, and consequently its economic well being, are
directly related to its historic character and unique quality of life.
Beaufort County’s popularity and high growth rate has brought both
recognition of the County’s more visible historic assets and an influx of
financial support for the rehabilitation of historic structures. As a
result, Beaufort County, the City of Beaufort, the Town of Port Royal,
the Town of Bluffton and the Town of Hilton Head Island each have
adopted ordinances that protect historic and archaeological resources.
Given the County’s rapid population growth over the last 20 years,
however, it is vital to analyze the region’s less tangible, but more
inherent cultural resources, which make up the Lowcountry way of life.
These resources include the County resident’s relationship to the water
as a source of food, recreation and transportation; the County’s rich
agricultural heritage; the County’s military heritage; the County’s scenic
highways and byways; Gullah culture; and the active visual and
performing arts community. Each of these components are vital to the
region’s identity. They add to the quality of life for residents; they make
this region attractive to visitors and future residents; they drive the
local tourism economy; and they ideally make this region an attractive
site to relocate or create new businesses.
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Historic and Archaeological
Resources
Beaufort County is blessed with a wealth of important historic buildings
and sites as well as numerous pre-historic and historic archaeological
sites. The County and its municipalities have devoted much time and
effort to both inventorying these sites and creating the necessary
regulatory framework to protect these sites from the potential adverse
impacts of new development, redevelopment, rehabilitation, and neglect.
Resource Identi f ication
Beaufort County Above Ground Historic Resources Survey: In
1997, Beaufort County completed a survey of historic buildings and
other above ground historic resources that covered the unincorporated
areas of Beaufort County, the City of Beaufort, and the Town of Port
Royal. The Town of Bluffton was surveyed in 1995. The County survey
identified over 1,500 historic sites and buildings; provided an historic
overview of Beaufort County; an architectural analysis by building type,
material and style; provided recommendations for National Register of
Historic Places eligibility; and gave recommendations for future
preservation actions. The survey is used by the County and
municipalities in staff project development review, and by property
owners, realtors, developers, historians, and other researchers as well
as by the public. Because the survey primarily included only those
properties that could be seen from public roads or those surveyed on
private property with owner permission, the County continues to work
with property owners to identify sites missed by the survey. For
example, County staff and the Historic Beaufort Foundation have
worked with local citizens to locate and survey rural cemeteries, the
majority of which are African-American. The survey can be accessed on
Beaufort County’s website1.
1 Presently only the unincorporated County, the City of Beaufort, and the Town of Port Royal are available on the website.
Bluffton will be added soon. The City of Beaufort plans to include the city survey in its website.
The Church of the Cross, located in
Bluffton’s historic district, was
constructed in 1854
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Archaeological Sites: Beaufort County has nearly 2,000 identified
archaeological sites both underground and underwater. A majority of
these sites are identified by surveys done when development projects
are undertaken. In addition, archaeologists using grants from federal
and state sources perform data recovery work on important sites such
as the Santa Elena/Charlesfort site on Parris Island. On occasion,
groups of local citizens commission archaeologists to identify and
protect sites on private property. Projects of this type have been done
on Dataw Island, Callawassie Island, and the Mitchelville area on Hilton
Head Island. County staff has also worked with the Underwater
Division of the SC Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology on a
project to survey underwater archaeological sites in the Port Royal
Sound.
Exist ing Regulatory Framework
The regulatory framework for protecting the County historic resources
includes federal and state requirements along with County and
municipal regulations. Generally, County and municipal regulations are
meant to attend to gaps not addressed by state and federal regulations.
Federal and State Requirements: There are several mechanisms at
the federal and state level, by which impacts on archaeological and
historic sites are required to be identified and mitigated. Section 106 of
the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires consideration
of historic properties when the federal government is involved in
financing, licensing, or permitting a project. Section 106 requires federal
agencies to consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO),
assess potential adverse affects of a project on historic resources and to
address and mitigate those affects. Various state laws, such as the SC
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1979 have similar provisions.
Historic Preservation Overlay District Ordinance: Beaufort
County has adopted as part of the Zoning and Development Standards
Ordinance Community Development Code, a section that provides
protection of the County’s historic and archaeological resources. This
ordinance requires that all work done on the exterior of designated
historic buildings in the unincorporated County to be reviewed and
approved either by the Historic Preservation Review Board or by staff
acting on behalf of the Board. Once a project is approved, a Certificate
of Appropriateness is issued, which is required before a building permit
can be received.
Archaeological and Historic Impact Assessment Ordinance:
This ordinance requires developers to provide information regarding
the development site. After conducting document searches,
consultations with compliance archaeologists and other research, the
Planning Director and Historic Preservationist determine whether a
survey of the property will be required. Reports, maps or other
The Historic Preservation
Review Board and staff have
worked with the following
private owners and
organizations to protect
important historic sites and
buildings.
Rose Hill Plantation
Darrah Hall at Penn Center
Brick Church
Coffin Point Plantation House
Old Sheldon Church Ruins
Lobeco School
First African Baptist Church
(Daufuskie Island)
Mt. Carmel Church (Daufuskie
Island)
Tombee Plantation
Historic cemetery on Daufuskie Island
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information resulting from any survey are reviewed by the County, who
works with the developer to devise a mitigation plan for the treatment
of any identified archaeological resources. The plan would then be
included in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to be signed by the
developer and the County.
Municipal Ordinances: The City of Beaufort, Town of Port Royal,
Town of Bluffton and the Town of Hilton Head Island all have
ordinances that provide some degree of protection of historic and
archaeological resources. In the past, Beaufort County staff has
provided professional assistance to the municipalities to identify and
protect historic resources.
Other Planning and Preservation Ef forts
Over the last 10 years, Beaufort County has undertaken a number of
projects to preserve important County owned historic properties and
to acquire and preserve other important historic sites through its Rural
and Critical Lands Preservation Program.
Lobeco Library: Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
and owned by the Beaufort County Board of Education, this school
building was renovated in 2003 into the Lobeco branch of the
Beaufort County Library.
Barker Field Tabby Ruins: Beaufort County financed the
restoration of tabby ruins located in Barker Field County Park on
Hilton Head Island.
Ford Shell Ring: Beaufort County in conjunction with the Town
of Hilton Head Island purchased a 6.8-acre parcel that contains
Native American Shell Rings believed to have ceremonial
importance. The site is also home to the remains of a freedman’s
cottage.
Altamaha Town: Beaufort County purchased a 100-acre site
located on Old Baileys Road in 2004 that includes Altamaha, a
Yamasee Indian town that is being developed as a passive park and
historic site.
Fort Fremont: Beaufort County purchased 14 acres on St.
Helena Island that contains the ruins of a historic Spanish-American
War fort that was completed in 1898.
The Town of Hilton Head Island has also been active in the preservation
of historic and archaeological sites. Town preservation efforts include
Greens Shell Ring, Honey Horn Plantation, Jenkins Island Shell Pit,
Jenkins Island Cemetery, and the Fish Haul Creek Site. In addition to
public sector preservation efforts, private residential communities, such
as Dataw Island, Spring Island and Haig Point have preserved tabby ruins
and other above ground features.
The Lobeco Library is located in the
restored Lobeco School that was
constructed in 1937.
Fort Fremont dates back to 1898 when it
was constructed for the Spanish-
American War.
Vernacular architecture on Daufuskie
Island.
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Vernacular Architecture
Beaufort County has a rich inventory of vernacular architecture, much
of which is being lost to redevelopment and neglect. Protection of
these older structures, many of which are located in the rural and less
affluent parts of the County, is vital both to preserving an important
component of the County’s historic built environment and as a source
of affordable housing. Many of these structures are modest homes
built largely by African-Americans. The best examples can be found on
St. Helena Island, Daufuskie Island and in the Northwest Quadrant in
the City of Beaufort. Non-residential vernacular structures include
rural roadside markets and truck farming packing houses.
Conclusions
Beaufort County and its municipalities have devoted many resources to
both inventory and protect historic structures and archaeological sites.
These preservation efforts need to be continued and enhanced in the
future. Special emphasis should be placed on identifying and preserving
the County’s most endangered structures and sites through proactive
means (adaptive reuse, grant funded rehabilitation, etc.).
Albany Groceries, located in Dale, is a good example of commercial vernacular
architecture.
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Scenic Highways and Byways
Beaufort County’s highways are the County’s primary and most visible
public realm. It is where the manmade environment intersects with the
natural environment. Therefore, scenic highways and byways are
included as a cultural resource. It is the most frequent way that people
enjoy the scenic beauty of the County.
Fifty years ago, Beaufort County’s transportation network was made up
of 2-lane highways, many of which were completely shaded under a
canopy of oaks. Population growth accompanied by development has
rendered this a vanishing feature of the Lowcountry landscape. Most of
the County’s principal and minor arterials and its major collectors have
been or are slated to be widened to four or six lanes.
Exist ing Preservation and Enhancement Ef forts
In the past 15 years, Beaufort County has recognized the importance of
preserving the scenic qualities of its highways. These efforts include the
adoption of the Corridor Overlay District; the designation of Old
Sheldon Church Road as a state scenic highway; and preserving trees
and creating context sensitive features when roads are widened.
Development Standards Corridor Overlay District Ordinance:
In 1992, Beaufort County adopted the Highway Corridor Overlay
District to apply to U.S. 278, the primary corridor leading onto Hilton
Head Island. The Corridor Overlay District has since been was then
expanded to include all major highways in Beaufort County. The district
provides provided standards for architecture, landscaping (including tree
preservation), signage, and lighting for new development along the
County’s major highways. The Community Development Code then
expanded these standards to apply to all development with the
exception of single-family and two-family residential. While the
corridor overlay district has these development standards have helped
to limit the potential adverse visual impact of commercial growth along
these highways, the standards do not apply to improvements within the
highway right-of-way. there are several limitations of the district that
could be improved upon:
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The corridor overlay district standards are modeled after similar
standards adopted on Hilton Head Island. Some of these standards
are not as well suited to the more rural parts of the County.
The standards do not apply to improvements within the highway
right-of-way. Therefore, road widening, median landscaping,
SCDOT maintenance, turning lanes, and other road alterations fall
outside the district requirements and the purview of the Corridor
Review Boards.
The standards do not apply to many of the County’s major and
minor collector roads. Many of these roads still have significant
scenic resources.
Southern Beaufort County Corridor Beautification Board:
Since development standards only apply to development on individual
parcels, additional oversight was needed for road improvements within
the highway right-of-way. In 2013, County Council authorized the
creation of the Southern Beaufort County Corridor Beautification
Board. County Council created the Board to assist Council in the
design, implementation, fundraising and promotion of median
beautification and other aesthetic improvements along highways in
Southern Beaufort County.
State Scenic Byway (Old Sheldon Church Road): The State
designated Old Sheldon Church Road a Scenic Byway in 2003. Old
Sheldon Church Road is one of the County’s most scenic highways. A
trip on Old Sheldon Church Road offers glimpses into the past through
the remains of the Sheldon Church ruins, the entrances to several
historic plantations, and views of former rice fields. In addition to its
historic importance, the road is one of the few remaining canopy roads
in Beaufort County. In recent years, the road has become a short cut
between I-95 and Beaufort for both cars and trucks. Accompanying
state scenic byway designation, Beaufort County adopted a management
plan to protect the highway’s scenic qualities. This management plan
includes called for extending the corridor overlay district to apply to
Old Sheldon Church Road; working with the state to reduce speed
limits and to limit truck traffic; and working with SCDOT and the utility
companies to utilize best management practices when trees are pruned
for maintenance.
Canopy Roads Brochure: In 2009, the Beaufort County Planning
Department produced a brochure titled The Canopy Roads of Beaufort
County. The purpose of the brochure was to provide greater
awareness of the County’s remaining canopy roads and highlight them
as a unique feature of the region’s history, culture and natural
environment.
Old Sheldon Church Road was
designated a State Scenic Byway in 2003.
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Conclusions
Beaufort County has taken important steps to protect the scenic
qualities of its highways and byways. The Architectural, landscaping,
signage and lighting standards have corridor overlay district has been a
key component in these preservation efforts and should be continually
implemented enhanced and expanded to provide more protection to
the County’s remaining rural scenic highways. The designation of Old
Sheldon Church Road as a state scenic byway and the accompanying
management plan represent the next step in moving the protection of
scenic corridors beyond the regulatory environment to include public
outreach and partnerships with SCDOT and utility companies. The
County should seek this designation on other highways with similar
qualities. Finally, the County has many rural scenic highways that do not
fall under the jurisdiction of the corridor overlay district and are not
likely to be eligible for state scenic designation. The County should take
steps to inventory these highways and develop a management plan to
protect and promote the scenic qualities of these roads.
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Maritime Heritage
Beaufort County consists roughly of half land and half water.
Throughout its history, the County’s waterways have been a source of
food, industry, trade, transportation and recreation. The County’s
culture and identity has been as closely tied to its waterways as it has
been tied to its land. Seafood, fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters have been
a staple of the Lowcountry diet since the days of the Native American
inhabitants. Historically many of Beaufort County’s islands lacked direct
access to the mainland and therefore water was vital to transportation.
Today, recreational boating and fishing are an important facet both to
the Lowcountry way of life and to the local economy as an increasing
number of visitors are interested in chartering fishing boats and in
ecotourism. Although there is an abundance of rivers, bays and
marshes in Beaufort County, the rapid pace of growth and rising land
values have challenged the traditional uses of the County’s waterways.
Growth has brought with it concerns about declining water quality,
excessive stormwater runoff and increased pollutants into the local
marshes and waterways.
Waterfront access facilities, such as boat landings and fishing piers,
have not kept pace with population growth.
Rising land values have put a premium on waterfront property and
made it very expensive to purchase new land for waterfront access.
Rising land values have also brought about pressure on commercial
waterfronts to sell to the highest bidder.
Increased residential development on marshfront and waterfront
property has brought about conflicts between property owners and
those harvesting crabs and oysters.
Local Seafood Industry
Fishing as a commercial venture dates back to the colonial times when
street peddlers and small merchants sold fish and shellfish for local
consumption. In the late 1800’s, canning became a major part of the
seafood business, allowing local seafood to be sold to other parts of the
world. Freezing became popular in the late 1940s and is still used for a
majority of today's seafood catch, especially when shipped elsewhere.
Today the industry is in decline; nevertheless, the demand for fresh
Summary of 2006 2013 South
Carolina Shellfish Catches
Blue Crab – 4.32 5.13 million
lbs. - $3.4 6.4 million
Shrimp (Brown, White &
Other) – 2.2 1.99 million lbs. -
$5.6 5.8 million
Eastern Oysters – 81,548
bushels 0.37 million - $1.2 2.3
million
Source: NOAA – National Marine
Fisheries Service
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seafood from Beaufort County's waters is still high. Many of the
hardships facing the local seafood industry are international in scale –
flat market prices, competition from Asia and Latin America, and rising
fuel costs. This plan focuses on local issues and possible solutions to
protect the viability of the industry.
Working Waterfronts: The local seafood industry relies on the
availability of ice, fuel, grading and processing, freezers, access to
markets, and places to moor fishing boats. Beaufort County has nine
remaining working waterfronts (Map 1) that provide these services to
the industry. The long-term viability of these waterfronts is in question
as owners face both the declining profitability of the industry and rising
land costs that make it attractive to sell.
Other Commercial Fishing Concerns: The local seafood industry
is affected by other aspects of rapid population growth. Increased
development has led to the closure of shellfish beds, reducing the
availability of oysters and clams. Stormwater runoff also affects the
salinity levels in localized areas, which has led to declining crab
populations. The proliferation of private docks on small tidal creeks and
an increasing number of no wake zones have made it more difficult and
time consuming to harvest crab pots and to reach oyster beds. Finally,
most crabbers and oystermen utilize the County’s boat landings and
must compete with an increasing number of recreational boaters for a
limited number of landings.
Local Initiatives: Beaufort County and its municipalities have taken
several steps to protect the viability of the local seafood industry.
Commercial Fishing Village Overlay District (CFVOD): In 2000,
Beaufort County Council adopted the CFVOD. The process
involved inventorying the County’s existing working waterfronts and
interviewing those involved in the seafood industry to determine
the existing and future needs of the commercial fishing operations.
The purpose of the district was to remove regulatory barriers that
could threaten the operation and expansion of the existing active
uses.
Bluffton Oyster Company: In 2002, Beaufort County purchased 5
acres at the site of the Bluffton Oyster Company, the last oyster
shucking facility in Beaufort County. The Bluffton Oyster Company
continues to operate under a long-term lease arrangement with
Beaufort County.
Benny Hudson Seafood Company: In 2003, the Town of Hilton
Head Island purchased the development rights of this active seafood
operation which allows for the continued operation of the company,
provides tax breaks to the property owner, and protects the
property from redevelopment.
Port Royal Seafood: The Town of Port Royal has taken took over
the management and operation of this facility to keep it viable as the
Issues Facing the Local
Seafood Industry
Low-priced imported shrimp
and crabs
Rising fuel costs
Rising labor costs
Increased land values affecting
waterfront access
Loss of processing facilities
Age of fleet
Loss of maintenance facilities
A commercial crabber on the Combahee
River.
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Port of Port Royal property is sold and redeveloped. However,
with the July 2015 fire and pending sale of the Port property, the
future of this operation is uncertain.
Recreational F ishing and Boating
Recreational fishing and boating is a traditional local pastime as well as a
draw for visitors. In 2007, Field and Stream magazine named Beaufort a
top 20 fishing town. Local coastal waters offer sheepshead, mullet,
croaker, sea trout, and whiting, along with crabs, shrimp and oysters.
Cobia season brings many visitors to the Broad River in May. The
popularity of recreational fishing and boating also supports fishing
charters and ecotourism which are a component of the local economy.
According to SCDNR, in 2007 2014, there were 12,225 15,131 boats
registered in Beaufort County. Assuming that boat registration keeps
pace with projected population growth, Beaufort County can expect
20,789 18,278 boats in 2025 2030. This growth will place further stress
on the County’s 26 public boat landings.
The Beaufort County Public Works Department maintains and manages
26 25 public boat ramps and the City of Beaufort owns the Pigeon Point
boat ramp. In 2007, SCDHEC/OCRM published the South Carolina Five
Coastal County Boat Ramp Study. This study provided a detailed
assessment of the County’s existing boat landings and provided the
following general findings and recommendations
There is a major need for more parking at existing boat ramps;
Existing boat landings need to be upgraded and repaired with new
restrooms, more trash disposal, and better lighting;
Certain accesses should be designated for non-motorized uses such
as fishing, crabbing, kayaking, canoeing, and viewing; and
Passenger cars should not park in car/trailer parking spaces.
Other Water Access Issues
The demand for shore-based fishing is already evident in the number of
people fishing from bridges and in undesignated areas in proximity to
roads and bridges. Changing demographics have the potential to change
the desires of the public with respect to water access needs. As the
population ages there may be increasing demands for shore-based
fishing facilities. Beaufort County has eight ten fishing piers. In addition
to shore based fishing, canoes and kayaks compete with motorized
boats for the same limited number of water access facilities.
Conclusions
Because of growth and rising land prices, the traditional relationship
between County residents and the water is being challenged. To
address these challenges, Beaufort County will need to take a more
Recreational cast netting for shrimp.
The Hunting Island Fishing Pier extends
1,120 feet into Fripp Inlet.
A shrimp boat on the May River.
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active role in preserving traditional water dependent uses and providing
improved access to the water for all County residents.
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Agricultural Heritage
Historically and culturally, Beaufort County’s identity has been closely
tied to its soil. For much of the County’s history, agriculture has been
the mainstay of the local economy. Agriculture has also played an
important role in sustaining its population through periods of isolation
and hard economic times. From the period immediately following the
Civil War through the first half of the 20th century when employment
and capital were scarce, vegetables, melons, poultry and livestock
provided the County’s many small property owners, many of them
freed slaves, the means to survive and remain independent in spite of
poverty and isolation. While the County’s recent population growth
has brought increased economic opportunities, the importance of
farming and the skills related to farming are in decline. Preserving and
enhancing agriculture as a way of life in Beaufort County is vital to
maintaining the County’s economic and demographic diversity, providing
economic opportunities to rural residents and landowners, reducing the
pressures of sprawl, providing a source of local fresh produce, and
retaining the traditions and characteristics that make this region unique.
History of Agriculture in Beaufort County
Beaufort County is endowed with 250 frost-free days and good
agricultural soils. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) designates
25% of the County acreage as unique, 3% as prime, and 25% of the total
County acreage as additional farmland of state importance. The unique
category was assigned due to soil characteristics and a location that is
favored by warm moist air from the nearby ocean and tidal streams.
The USDA stipulates that when the soils are well managed, they are
among the most productive in the region.
The early colonists found Beaufort County almost completely wooded
and densely populated with many species of wildlife. Lumber for
shipbuilding and the use of other forest products became a major
industry of the early settlers. In 1680, rice was introduced into the
region. By 1719, the colonists, merchants, traders and farmers had built
up great wealth from rice production from the abundant resources
available. Indigo was introduced in the early to mid-1700s, and
remained profitable until after the Revolutionary War when the English
Dempsey Farms on St. Helena Island.
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government removed their bounty on it. Sea Island long-staple cotton,
known for its long, smooth fibers, was introduced in 1785 and soon
became the next major cash crop. While Sea Island cotton nearly
disappeared from production during the Civil War, it made a modest
comeback in the 1880s, only to fall victim to the boll weevil in the
1920s. Following the Civil War, the agricultural economy of Beaufort
plummeted. Although a number of crops were grown, including corn,
tobacco, rice, potatoes, truck crops and livestock, none reached the
prominence of the rice, indigo, or Sea Island long-staple cotton of
previous years. In the early 1900’s, the USDA encouraged truck farming
in the Southeast, due to its long growing season. Truck crops were a
large and profitable industry in Beaufort County during the early to mid-
1900s, and much of today's agricultural production is based upon this
agricultural sector.
Exist ing Condit ions
According to the 2002 2012 USDA Census of Agriculture, there were
44,373 42,177 acres of land classified as farmland in Beaufort County
that produced crops with a total value of $9.8 million with 137
individual farms. Table 6-1 depicts that although Beaufort County lost
about 10,000 12,000 acres of farmland between the years of 1987 and
2002 2012, with a modest increase in the corresponding number of
farms has not decreased by the same percentage. Farms with greater
acreage are subject to greater pressure from development and face the
continuing need to truck their products longer distances. Large-scale
truck farms are still active on St. Helena Island and north of the Whale
Branch River. Typically, tomatoes are grown and harvested during the
month of June to be shipped to markets in the Northeast.
Table 6-1: Number of Farms and Farmland in Beaufort
County
Year Number of Farms Land in Farms
(acres)
1987 125 54,152
1992 120 44,800
2002 116 44,373
2007 125 49,401
2012 137 42,177 Source: 1987, 1992, and 2002 USDA Census of Agriculture
On a smaller scale many other types of crops, including collards,
cabbage, turnips, carrots, beans, watermelon, cantaloupe, corn, yellow
squash, okra, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins are grown locally
on small farms and gardens to be marketed at the State Farmers Market
in Columbia or at local farmers markets.
Marshview Community Organic Farm is a
local example of Community Sustainable
Agriculture.
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Local Marketing Ini t iat ives
Increasing energy costs for transportation and recent public demand for
locally grown foods have created opportunities for smaller scale
farmers. While there is ample production potential, local products
must be matched by marketing prospects to promote expansion of
small-scale farming geared toward local and regional consumption.
Local marketing programs, such as farmers markets, are being initiated
and/or expanded on, that are designed to provide visibility of the small
farmer to a larger marketplace. The following two local initiatives are
designed to increase the profitability of small-scale farming by lining up
local growers with consumers.
Farmers Market: The local Farmer’s Market has been in
operation since 1987 and currently consists of about 25
participating vendors. In the past, the market was administered by a
committee that included representatives from Clemson Extension,
farmers, Department of Social Services, and Department of Health
and Environmental Control. The administration is in the process of
being transferred to the Town of Port Royal with the committee
remaining as an advisory group. Currently the Market locates at
three sites. On Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings the
market is located at Heritage Park beside the Naval Hospital in Port
Royal; on Thursday mornings at the Shelter Cove Mall on Hilton
Head Island; and on Thursday afternoons in Bluffton at the Oyster
Factory.
Small Farmer Wholesale Auction Market: The purpose of
the wholesale auction market is to provide an outlet for small local
farmers to market their products to a broader audience. This will
allow the local growers to expand their customer base beyond their
traditional audience, which is mainly local roadside stand consumers
and to provide small farmers with more opportunities to sell their
products and remain competitive in the marketplace, thus
maintaining their livelihood and lifestyle. The wholesale auction
market, which serves farmers in Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton,
Hampton, and Jasper Counties, opened in May 2008 in the Town of
Ridgeland in Jasper County. A coalition of partners, including the
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Clemson
University Cooperative Extension Service, Penn Center, SC State
1890 Research and Extension service and local farmers initiated this
project.
Conclusions
While agriculture has been experiencing a slow and steady decline in
Beaufort County, there are opportunities arising that may reverse this
trend. Rising food and fuel prices along with concerns about the safety
and quality of massed produced food products has led to a worldwide
The Bluffton Farmers Market.
Locally grown turnips at the Bluffton
Farmers Market.
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interest in consuming locally grown and produced food. This global
movement has the potential to benefit local small and medium sized
growers. In order to facilitate this opportunity, there are three general
sets of policies that Beaufort County should pursue.
Beaufort County should ensure through land use policies and other
programs that the potential supply of available land for agriculture is
maximized and maintained.
Beaufort County should support programs aimed at creating
marketing opportunities for local growers such as the wholesale
auction market and the local farmers markets or the creation of a
wholesale auction market.
Beaufort County should provide information to the public on where
locally grown and produced food products can be purchased.
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Military Heritage
Beaufort County’s military heritage is nearly 500 years old and has
influenced virtually every aspect of the local culture. The County is
centered around Port Royal Sound the Broad River which is the
deepest natural harbor in the southeastern United States. This location
played a key role in the original settlement of the County; the strategic
role the County played in many conflicts over the years; and influenced
the location of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island; the
Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort; and the Naval Hospital. The
presence of the military today is a major driver of the local economy
directly and indirectly providing over $700 million in sales at local
businesses and supporting a total of 17,500 jobs and over $600 million
in personal income each year. The presence of the military has
influenced development patterns, the building of roads and other
infrastructure and has attracted retirees and tourists.
Mil i tary History
From the first European to arrive in what is now Beaufort County to
the present the military has played an important role in the life of the
area. In 1526 Spanish explorers named the area Santa Elena (St.
Helena). The following year the Spanish attempted to place a colony in
the Port Royal area. The colony was a failure and the surviving settlers
left. The French were the next to come to the region placing a colony
on Parris Island in 1562 as they attempted to gain a foothold in
southeastern America. They named their fort Charlesfort. This
settlement also failed. The Spanish returned and established a colony
known as Santa Elena in 1566. They remained until 1587. In 1684
Scottish Presbyterians established Stuart Town believed to be at the
present site known as Spanish Point. The colony only lasted for two
years after Spanish and Indian forces attacked and destroyed the
colony. The survivors fled to Charleston.
Once Beaufort was established in 1711, the SC Legislature approved a
series of forts to protect the entrance to the City of Beaufort and Port
Royal. In the 1730’s Fort Prince Frederick, a tabby fort, was constructed
on the site of the present day Naval Hospital. Ruins of the fort remain.
In 1755, Fort Lyttelton was built on Spanish Point and in 1811 Fort
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Marion was constructed on the same site. Extensive archaeological
remains of these forts still exist.
There was considerable activity in the Beaufort area during the
Revolutionary War. There were a number of defenses, fortifications
and camps in Beaufort County. The most important engagement was
the Battle of Port Royal that took place in Gray's Hill. During the
American Revolution and the War of 1812, Beaufort was protected by
earthworks. These defenses were occupied by the Confederates at the
start of the Civil War. Later, the Confederates built works to protect
the Charleston to Savannah Railroad. Some of these fortifications were
built under the supervision of General Robert E. Lee whose
headquarters were at Coosawatchie. Other fortifications were built on
Hilton Head and Bay Point Islands to protect Port Royal Sound.
When the Union Army occupied the Beaufort area, several fortifications
were built on Hilton Head and Port Royal Islands. A series of
earthworks and forts were built between Battery Creek and the
Beaufort River. A few of these earthworks remain whole or in part. A
partial earthwork named Battery Saxton remains on US 21 near the
entrance to the City of Beaufort.
Camp Saxton, located on the site of the present day Naval Hospital, was
a camp for the 1st South Carolina Volunteers, the first black regiment in
the Union Army. On January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation
was read to the troops and freed slaves. The event is celebrated each
year on New Year’s Day.
On Hilton Head Island, the Confederates built several fortifications
including Fort Walker and Fort Beauregard. The Union Army enlarged
Fort Walker and renamed it Fort Welles. Other Union fortifications
included Fort Howell, Fort Sherman and Fort Mitchel. These last three
forts are in a good state of preservation. Mitchelville, a community built
for freed slaves in the area became a thriving community during and
after the War. Efforts to preserve Mitchelville continue today.
Fort Fremont, named after General John C. Fremont, which included
two concrete sea coast batteries, was built on St. Helena Island in 1898
as part of a coastal defense system for the Eastern and Gulf coasts of
the United States. The fort consisted of all support needed for the
batteries including barracks, officers quarters, a mess hall, bakery,
carpenter shop, administration building, a hospital and other buildings.
The fort was decommissioned in 1921. Only the batteries, named Jesup
and Fornance, and the hospital remain today. The batteries are now
owned by Beaufort County and are part of a public passive park. The
hospital building is privately owned.
The “Iron Mike” monument to the U.S.
Marines stands in front of the Parris
Island Headquarters and Service Battalion
Barracks
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Recent Mil i tary Activi ty
The US Navy and Marine Corps have played an important role in the
cultural and economic life of Beaufort for over 100 years. The Navy
acquired a portion of Parris Island in the 1890’s and built a coaling
station and later a dry-dock on the island. The Marine Corps took over
the base in the early 20th century and at the end of World War 1,
acquired the entire island. During WWII, Page Field, a naval air
station was located on Parris Island. Today, the island is the site of the
Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, the East Coast training area
for Marines.
The establishment of the Marine Corps Air Station dates back to 1941
when 1,300 acres in Beaufort were purchased by the Civil Aeronautics
Authority for an auxiliary air station that supported advanced training
for anti-submarine patrol squadrons. During the Korean War the Navy
decided to establish a Marine Corps air station in Beaufort and the land
was purchased by the Federal government. It was activated on January
1, 1955 as Merritt Field, named after Major General Lewie Merritt. In
1959, the Navy built Laurel Bay, a housing complex for Marine and Navy
personnel. Today the entire installation includes 6,900 acres at the air
station, 1,076 acres at Laurel Bay and an additional 5,182 acres at the
Townsend Bombing Range in Georgia, the weapons training installation
for the air station. MCAS is currently transitioning from the F18 to the
F35B Joint Strike Fighter and a new mission to house three squadrons
and to operate a Pilot Training Center.
Conclusions
Today, the Navy and Marine Corps continue to have in an important
role in Beaufort and in our nation’s defense. Military and civilian
personnel contribute significantly to the economy of Beaufort both in
money they spend and as part of the non-military workforce. Military
personnel also participate in community cultural and charitable
organizations. We are reminded of the important role they play as we
hear jets flying to and from the Air Station and small arms fire from
Parris Island where tomorrows Marines are being trained.
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Gullah Culture
The Gullah/Geechee are a community of African-Americans who live
along the Atlantic coast on the Sea Islands of South Carolina and
Georgia. Generally, the term “Gullah” is used in South Carolina and
“Geechee” is used in Georgia. Comprised of descendants of slaves
brought from West Africa, Gullah/Geechee communities continue to
thrive on the Sea Islands today. The historic isolation of the Sea Islands
was crucial to the survival of this culture. Within their rural
communities, Gullah/Geechee people were able to maintain language,
arts, crafts, religious beliefs, rituals, and foods that are distinctly
connected to their West and Central African roots. Today there exists
a strong movement to preserve and maintain Beaufort County’s Gullah
culture, language and customs.
Issues Affecting Gullah Culture in Beaufort
County
As in other parts of the Southeast, Gullah culture is under extreme
stress from rapid coastal development, population growth, lack of
recognition, and the lack of significant financial resources. Rapid
population growth has the potential to substantially alter the traditional
social and cultural character of Beaufort County’s Gullah community, as
new residents represent different values and customs. The gentrification
of St. Helena Island, which represents the County’s largest Gullah
community, would result in a greater demand for urban services and
eventually to urbanization and higher property values, which would
make it more difficult and costly to maintain the traditional rural lifestyle
on the Island.
Beaufort County’s Gullah communities face other unique challenges
brought on by increased development pressure. When Beaufort
County was largely rural, large tracts of agricultural and forested land,
regardless of their private ownership, provided the Gullah community
with traditional access to waterways, oyster beds, hunting grounds and
other amenities of the natural environment that were the lifelines for
the community. Rising land values, especially along marshes and
waterways, have often led to property owners limiting access through
Historic Praise House on St. Helena
Island.
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their properties. In addition, many of the older cemeteries, which play
an important role for the Gullah community, are located within the
original plantations and are now on private property and difficult to
access.
Local Ini t iat ives to Preserve Gullah Heri tage
In the past 10 years, Beaufort County, working closely with community
groups, has taken several initiatives aimed at strengthening the Gullah
community.
Corners Area Community Preservation District: The Corners
Community is located around the intersection of Sea Island Parkway
(US 21) and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and is the cultural and
commercial heart of St. Helena Island. The 1997 Comprehensive Plan
designated this area as a Community Preservation District, which led to
a community-based plan that was completed and adopted in 2003. The
plan was formulated by the 12-member Corners Area Community
Preservation Committee, which conducted 140 meetings over a period
of 2 ½ years. The plan outlines policies that encourage the district to
be pedestrian friendly, promotes the preservation of historic structures
and calls for context sensitive design for the widening of US 21 through
the heart of the community. In 2014, based on input from the
Community Preservation Committee and island residents, the County
adopted transect zones for the Corners Community to further
promote the objectives of the plan.
Cultural Protection Overlay District: In order to protect the
Gullah cultural heritage of St. Helena Island, the County developed the
Cultural Protection Overlay to prevent rural gentrification and
displacement of residents in these cultural communities. The intent of
this overlay is to protect this area from encroaching development
pressures. Currently the district restricts the development of gated
communities, golf courses, and resorts. It also prohibits development
features that restrict access to water and other culturally significant
locations, and franchise design.
Family Compound Option: The family compound option allows
longtime rural residents to protect a rural way of life, especially
prevalent in the Gullah community, where family members cluster
development on family owned or heir’s property. The family compound
option allows property owners a density bonus for family dwelling units,
which can be built either on the applicant’s property without being
subdivided, or on property subdivided and conveyed to the family
members.
Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heri tage Corr idor
(National Park Service)
The Gullah Grub, located in the Corner
Community on St. Helena Island served
traditional Gullah cuisine. It operates
under the South Carolina Coastal
Community Development Organization.
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With the passage of the National Heritage Areas Act of 2006 (S. 203),
the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor was designated by the
National Park Service along the coast from Wilmington, North Carolina
to Jacksonville, Florida. The purpose of this heritage corridor is the
following:
To recognize the important contributions made to American
history and culture by the Gullah/Geechee.
To assist federal, state and local governments, grassroots
organizations and public and private entities in interpreting the story
of the Gullah/Geechee culture and preserving Gullah/Geechee
folklore, arts, crafts, and music.
To assist in identifying and preserving sites, historical data, artifacts,
and objects associated with the Gullah/Geechee culture for the
benefit and education of the public.
In 2007, the National Park Service appointed a 15 member
Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission that is charged
with developing and implementing a management plan for the Heritage
Corridor. In 2012, the Commission approved the Gullah Geechee
Cultural Heritage Corridor Management Plan for public distribution and
submitted the plan to the Department of Interior who approved the
plan in 2013.
Conclusions
Beaufort County’s Gullah community continues to make it clear that its
cultural resources are not only the historic sites, waterways, sacred
grounds, farmlands, open spaces, hunting grounds, and the areas in
which traditional events have occurred. The major cultural resource is
the people themselves. The primary threat to the long-term viability of
Beaufort County’s Gullah communities is population growth and
development. Responsible land use policies that concentrate new
growth in urban areas and protect rural areas from high-density
development are the most important policy that can be enacted at the
County level. The Cultural Protection Overlay District is a good start
in protecting Beaufort County’s largest Gullah community on St. Helena
Island. It is necessary to continue to evaluate what defines St. Helena
Island as a significant traditional cultural landscape, as well as to assess
the contribution of the Gullah culture, in order to develop more specific
provisions within the overlay district that will result in effective long-
term protection for the culturally significant aspects of the island.
The Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage
Corridor Commission.
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Visual and Performing Arts
Beaufort County has a thriving, nationally recognized arts community.
The City of Beaufort and the Town of Hilton Head Island were listed in
the book 100 Best Small Art Towns in America2. Beaufort County is home
to a variety of arts organizations, galleries, theater groups, dance
groups, orchestras, jazz ensembles, and vocal groups. While the visual
and performing arts are a key component of the region’s culture and
quality of life, they also contribute to the local economy.
In 1999, a study was conducted to measure the economic impact of
visual and performing arts on Beaufort County. At that time, it was
determined that direct expenditures of the industry totaled more than
$10 million annually3. In addition, the study indicated that for every $1
of financial support to the arts by local governments, $6 is returned to
the local economy. While this information is dated, it provides some
indication of the economic importance of this industry.
Performance Venues
Beaufort County has a number of performing arts facilities that provide
venues for both professional performers and grass roots theater groups
and musicians. The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, on Hilton Head
Island, includes a 350-seat main theater and two smaller venues for
youth and experimental theater. They also have a gallery for the visual
arts that provides space for national exhibits, statewide exchanges, and
local artists. The May River Theater, located in Bluffton Town Hall,
provides a 200 seat venue for plays and other shows.
In northern Beaufort County, the Arts Council of Beaufort County has
a 120 seat performance space in its ARTworks Community Art Center
in Beaufort. The USCB Performing Arts Center is a 474 seat venue that
is used for both local performers and touring professionals. Beaufort
Performing Arts, Inc. was established in 2003 by a joint effort between
2 100 Best Small Art Towns in America, edited by John Villani and Burk Willes (1996, John Muir Publications). 3 Economic Impact of the Arts on Beaufort County, SC by Ginnie Kozak, Ivy Lea Consultants, 1999.
The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra.
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USCB, the City of Beaufort, and several local arts supporters to bring
high quality professional entertainment to Beaufort. Other venues in
northern Beaufort County include the Frisell Community House at Penn
Center, which seats 100, and the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park,
which offers an open air, covered stage for outdoor concerts. The
Beaufort County School District has several auditoriums in its high
schools and middle schools that serve as venues for local and
sometimes national performances. The availability of a suitable and
affordable venue is a key factor in whether local performing arts groups
can remain active.
Museums
There are a number of seven museums in Beaufort County that
interpret the region’s historic, cultural and natural heritage:
Verdier House: The Verdier House (ca. 1790), maintained by the
non-profit Historic Beaufort Foundation, is restored and furnished
with artifacts appropriate to the Federal era.
Beaufort Museum: The Beaufort Museum, also owned and
maintained by the Historic Beaufort Foundation, is located in the
Beaufort Arsenal, the County's oldest civic structure. The building's
main elements were constructed in 1852 atop a 1798 tabby first
floor. The exhibits include an eclectic conglomeration of materials,
both local and foreign, collected during the museum’s earlier years.
Parris Island Museum: The Parris Island Museum, in the War
memorial building at the Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Training
Depot exhibits Marine Corps heritage, Sea Island military history,
and the establishment of French and Spanish forts on Parris Island.
York W. Bailey Museum: Located at Penn Center, this museum
focuses on the story of the African American residents of the Sea
Island.
Coastal Discovery Museum: Located on Hilton Head Island, this is
the County's only natural history museum, although occasional
forays into the historical and cultural arena are common.
Historic Port Royal Foundation Museum: The Historic Port Royal
Foundation operates a small museum in the 130-year-old Union
Church, which features artifacts and memorabilia from the Town’s
history.
Heyward House: The Heyward House was constructed as a
summer home for a plantation owner in 1841. Today it is a house-
museum operated by the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society
and acts as the official Welcome Center for the Town of Bluffton.
Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center: In 2014, the Port
Royal Sound Foundation opened its Maritime Center at the location
of the former Lemon Island marina, which features exhibits,
classrooms, and interactive learning focused on teh unique
environment of Port Royal Sound.
The Beaufort Museum is located in the
Beaufort Arsenal, which was constructed
in 1852.
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Santa Elena Foundation Interpretive Center: The Santa Elena
Foundation is schedulded to open an interpretive center in the
former Federal Courthouse in Beaufort in 2016. The Foundation is
focused on research, preservation, and promotion of the “Lost
Century”, the 16th Century la Florida settlement that became the
colonial Spanish capital in present-day United States.
In the City of Beaufort, the Verdier House (ca. 1790), maintained by the
non-profit Historic Beaufort Foundation, is restored and furnished with
artifacts appropriate to the Federal era. The Beaufort Museum, also
owned and maintained by the Historic Beaufort Foundation, is located in
the Beaufort Arsenal, the County's oldest civic structure. The building's
main elements were constructed in 1852 atop a 1798 tabby first floor.
The exhibits include an eclectic conglomeration of materials, both local
and foreign, collected during the museum’s earlier years. The Parris
Island Museum, in the War memorial building at the Parris Island Marine
Corps Recruit Training Depot exhibits Marine Corps heritage, Sea
Island military history, and the establishment of French and Spanish forts
on Parris Island. The story of the African American residents of the Sea
Island is the focus of Penn Center's York W. Bailey Museum. The
Hilton Head Island's Coastal Discovery Museum is the County's only
natural history museum, although occasional forays into the historical
and cultural arena are common. The Historic Port Royal Foundation
operates a small museum in the 130-year-old Union Church, which
features artifacts and memorabilia from the Town’s history. The
Lowcountry Estuarium, also located in Port Royal, is a learning center
designed to provide hands-on learning about the coastal environments.
Education and Support
The Arts Council of Beaufort County is a countywide non-profit that
provides support to the visual and performing arts community through
the distribution of grant funds from the South Carolina Arts
Commission. The Council advocates for the art community by
providing classroom space, gallery and reatail space, and a performance
venue at their ARTworks Community Arts Center in Beaufort. and by
advocating for the arts community. The Arts Council distributes
approximately $20,000 annually to artists, arts organizations, and art
teachers through its Community Arts Grant Fund. Half of those funds
are from the SC Arts Commission. The local match is provided by the
City of Beaufort. The Arts Council also publishes the magazine,
ArtNews three times a year which promotes the activities of local
artists and performers.
Conclusions
Beaufort County has an active visual and performing arts community.
Studies have determined the economic importance of this community
and the value in providing financial support for local artists and arts
Black Box Theater at the ARTworks
Community Arts Center in Beaufort.
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organizations. An important component to an active and creative visual
and performing arts community is the availability of accessible, low-cost
space available for performance, studios, and galleries. A thorough and
systematic inventory and assessment of the County’s arts community
could be a valuable tool in determining the overall health of this industry
and how the County and its municipalities can be better positioned to
attract new artists and performers.
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Recommendations
Recommendation 6-1: Archaeological and Historic
Resources
Beaufort County should continue to emphasize the protection of
historic and archaeological resources through a combination of planning,
data gathering, land use regulations, and land acquisition. The following
strategies are offered to implement this recommendation:
Continue to review development plans to determine the location of
archaeological and historic resources and the potential impact of
development on these resources.
Continue to coordinate with the South Carolina Department of
Archives and History on projects that trigger state and federal
permits.
Continue to pursue the acquisition of significant archaeological and
historic sites via the Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program.
Continue to update the Beaufort County Above Ground Historic
Resources Survey.
Recommendation 6-2: Archaeological and Historic
Resources – Public Outreach
Beaufort County should work to increase public awareness for local
archaeological and historic resources by making presentations to local
organizations, civic clubs, and schools; utilizing space in county buildings
to exhibit archaeological and historic displays; and utilizing the County’s
web site to promote local archaeological and historic resources for
educational and outreach purposes.
Recommendation 6-3: Rural Vernacular Architecture.
Beaufort County should target the preservation of historic rural
vernacular architecture by pursuing grants, such as Community
Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership
Program funds, to rehabilitate older residential structures.
Vernacular residential architecture on
Coosaw Island built circa 1935.
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Recommendation 6-4: Scenic Highways and Byways
Beaufort County should preserve and enhance the scenic qualities of its
highways and byways by pursuing the following strategies:
Expand the application of the corridor overlay district standards and
the purview of the Corridor Review Boards to apply to road Utilize
the Southern Beaufort County Corridor Beautification Board to
provide oversight for road widenings, median landscaping, and other
alterations within the highway right-of-way that impact the aesthetic
qualities of the highway.
Modify corridor overlay district architectural, landscaping and tree
preservation standards to better protect and enhance rural scenic
qualities.
Pursue state scenic byway designation for River Road, Martin Luther
King Jr. Drive/Lands End Road, and other roads that qualify for this
designation.
Work with the Town of Bluffton’s efforts to preserve and enhance
the scenic qualities of May River Road (SC 46).
Provide better coordination with SCDOT and utility companies to
ensure that tree trimming and maintenance activities minimize
adverse impacts to the aesthetic qualities of the county’s scenic
highways and byways.
Create a local scenic highway designation to preserve minor
collectors and local roads with tree canopies and other scenic
qualities.
Inventory the County’s remaining canopy roads.
Create a management plan for local scenic highways that includes
design and tree protection standards along with cooperation with
SCDOT and utility companies.
Promote public awareness and outreach by creating an
interpretive brochure that maps and describes state and local
scenic highways.
Recommendation 6-5: Maritime Heritage – Working
Waterfronts
Beaufort County should protect and enhance the local seafood industry
by proactively working to preserve existing working waterfronts and
allowing for the expansion of commercial fishing operations where
appropriate.
Beaufort County should work with OCRM and SCDHEC to form a
Commercial Seafood Advisory Committee made up of
representatives of the local seafood industry, dock owners, seafood
distributors, along with representatives of local governments and SC
Sea Grant to continually monitor the status of Beaufort County’s
local seafood industry.
The Town of Bluffton seeks Federal
Scenic Highway designation for May River
Road (SC 46).
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Consider the use of the Rural and Critical Land Preservation
Program to protect working waterfronts from development
pressures by purchasing development rights; or, where deemed
appropriate, consider the acquisition of working waterfronts with a
long-term lease arrangement to continue active private operation of
the waterfront.
Explore the feasibility of using County waterfront property to
support the seafood industry by allowing the location of private
seafood processing facilities and other supporting facilities. This
should only be considered where sufficient land is available and
where such activities would not interfere with public access to the
water.
Consider future expansions of the Commercial Fishing Village
Overlay District to accommodate any new commercial fishing
operations and supporting facilities.
Recommendation 6-6: Maritime Heritage – Recreational
Boating and Fishing
Beaufort County should enhance its boat landings to serve the diverse
needs of recreational boaters and fishermen and commercial fishermen.
Beaufort County staff should conduct in-depth surveys to determine
who uses the boat landings; which landings are receiving the
greatest use; when are the peak demands for boat landing usage;
and what are the landings being used for.
Where sufficient land is available, County staff should make it a
priority to enlarge and enhance existing boat landings before
considering the creation of new boat landings.
County staff should promote increased security at boat landings by
installing better lighting and exploring the feasibility of installing
security cameras.
County staff and the Trust for Public Lands should work with the
US Naval Hospital and surrounding property owners to secure
permanent unrestricted access to the Fort Frederick Boat Landing.
Recommendation 6-7: Maritime Heritage – On-shore
Fishing
Beaufort County should increase opportunities for on-shore fishing on
marshfront and waterfront properties owned by the County or other
public entities.
Where sufficient land is available, Beaufort County should provide
fishing piers, crabbing docks, and sea-walls at County boat landings
and on other properties with water access potential (Lemon Island,
Camp St Mary’s, Altamaha, Fort Fremont, etc.). On-shore fishing on the Broad River
Fishing Pier.
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Adequate separation of shore-based fishing facilities and boat ramps
should be maintained to avoid potential conflicts between users.
Recommendation 6-8: Maritime Heritage – Small
Watercraft
Beaufort County should provide more launch areas for small non-
motorized (kayaks and canoes) in locations consistent with the Beaufort
County Trails and Blueway Master Plan.
Recommendation 6-9: Maritime Heritage - Funding
Beaufort County should pursue alternative funding sources for water
access facilities.
The County should seek state and federal funding sources such as
OCRM Coastal Access Grants and the DNR Water Recreational
Resource Fund.
Beaufort County should explore the feasibility of a user fee at
County boat landings to fund new water access facilities.
Recommendation 6-10: Agricultural Heritage –
Regulatory Framework
Beaufort County should continually assess its regulatory Beaufort
County should encourage the clustering of residential subdivisions in
rural areas to preserve and promote agricultural and forestry uses on
set-aside open spaces.
Recommendation 6-11: Agricultural Heritage – Rural
and Critical Lands Preservation Program
Beaufort County should continue to use the Rural and Critical Lands
Preservation Program to promote active agriculture and the
preservation of agricultural lands:
Continue to target the purchase of development rights on active
agricultural lands.
Where suitable, consider the lease of County owned properties to
those who are interested and actively farming the land.
Target family farms and small growers.
Promote sustainable agricultural practices (crop diversity, low use
of pesticides, protection of soil quality, cover crops, etc.).
Make active agriculture a condition of the lease.
Continue to partner with the USDA and other agencies and
organizations to match local funds for the preservation of farmland.
Farmland on Pinckney Colony Road
preserved by conservation easement by
the Rural and Critical Lands Preservation
Program.
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Recommendation 6-12: Agricultural Heritage – Markets
Beaufort County should support local marketing initiatives designed to
increase the profitability of small-scale farming by lining up local growers
with consumers. These include the following:
Encourage, support and monitor the success of the Small Farmer
Wholesale Auction Market.
Work with the municipalities to provide support for a market
manager for the local farmers market.
Recommendation 6-13: Agricultural Heritage – Local
Foods
Beaufort County should encourage the use of locally grown produce by
adopting a local food purchasing program.
Enact a policy that requires, where feasible, the County purchase
and serve local produce (grown and processed within 100 miles of
Beaufort County) at the detention center and other County
facilities where food is served.
Beaufort County staff should work with Clemson Extension to
research and create a web site with information on locally grown
produce and retail establishments and restaurants serving locally
grown produce. The web site should promote organizations that
advocate local foods such as Lowcountry Local First and Fresh on
the Menu.
Create a coalition consisting of Beaufort County, the Rural and
Critical Lands Preservation Program, Penn Center, the Coastal
Conservation League and local growers to advocate for local
agriculture and identify policies, programs and actions to further
local agriculture. Issues to be addressed by the coalition include:
Encouraging the Beaufort County School District to serve locally
grown produce at its cafeterias.
Working with local farmers to make available grade 2 and 3
produce to the food bank.
Encourage community gardens and farms in urban and suburban
areas by removing regulatory barriers.
Recommendation 6-14: Military Heritage
Beaufort County should recognize that the presence of the military is a
vital component to the County’s history, culture, and economy. The
following actions are recommended:
Continue to enforce standards within the AICUZ contours that
discourage development that would adversely affect the mission of
the US Marine Corps Air Station.
Ribbon cutting ceremony for the Small
Farmer Wholesale Auction Market in
Ridgeland, SC.
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Continue to partner with the US Marine Corps to preserve open
space around MCAS to protect the facility from undesirable
encroachment. This partnering expands the County’s efforts to
preserve rural and critical land while ensuring the ability of the
MCAS to remain militarily viable and vital to the national defense.
Adopt a transfer of development rights (TDR) program to
compensate affected property owners within the MCAS Airport
Overlay District (AOD) (MCAS-AO) and continue encroachment
partnering acquisition efforts in the vicinity of the Air Station.
Support the Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce’s Military
Affairs Committee’s efforts to promote and lobby for the retention
and expansion of the military installations in Beaufort County
Work cooperatively with the City of Beaufort and the Town of Port
Royal to implement the recommendations of the 2015 Lowcountry
Joint Land Use Study (JLUS).
Recommendation 6-15: Gullah Culture
Beaufort County should recognize the importance of its local Gullah
Community by adopting policies that preserve and promote this unique
cultural heritage. The following actions are recommended:
Continue to recognize the importance of land use policies such as
low-density rural zoning and family compounds in preserving and
enhancing the traditional land use patterns associated with the
Gullah community.
Conduct an assessment of buildings, archaeological sites,
traditionally used roads, waterways, water access points, fishing
areas, burial sites, and sacred grounds associated with the Gullah
community. This would involve working with community members
in order to access the historical and cultural resources that need
protection, restoration, and/or maintenance; and seeking funding to
preserve these resources in a way that allows the community to be
stakeholders in the process. Rural and Critical Lands Preservation
Program is a possible vehicle to preserve some of these sites.
Promote educational outreach to the public in order to foster
better stewardship of Beaufort County’s cultural and environmental
resources.
Promote a safe pedestrian environment in the Corners Community
and other gathering places on St. Helena Island that serve the Gullah
community.
Promote alternative means of transportation, such as transit,
pathways, and ferry service to make jobs and services more
accessible to the Gullah community.
County Planning staff should continue to enforce the Cultural
Preservation Overlay on St. Helena Island. Determine if additional
policies and regulations are needed for the overlay to better
implement its purpose.
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Support existing organizations that promote cultural resource
protection such as the South Carolina Coastal Community
Development Corporation, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island
Coalition, the Cultural Protection Overlay District Committee, the
Lowcountry Alliance, and Penn Center.
Support the National Park Service and the Gullah/Geechee Cultural
Heritage Corridor Commission in their developing and
implementing a the implementation of their management plan for
the Heritage Corridor.
County and Zoning staff should develop a brochure designed to
assist small rural landowners understand how to subdivide and
transfer land. Explain family compound, policies for small rural
landowners, home occupation and home business provisions,
cottage industry provisions, etc. Consider the designation or
creation of a County liaison position to assist rural property
owners.
Recommendation 6-16: Visual and Performing Arts
Beaufort County should recognize the importance of its unique visual
and performing arts community as both a key component of the
County’s quality of life and source of economic development by doing
the following:
Provide support for the creation of a Cultural Assessment of
Beaufort County that provides a comprehensive identification and
analysis of the community’s cultural resources and needs. This
assessment should evaluate the work of other communities, such as
Paducah, KY, Chattanooga, TN, and Cumberland, MD who have
successfully implemented packages of incentives to encourage the
relocation of artists into their communities.
Provide local matching funds to the Community Arts Grant Fund to
support individual artists, art education programs and local arts
organizations.
Support the creation of a County-wide Community Arts Center
that provides community performance space, arts classroom space,
and a space for an art gallery Continue to support the creation of
venues, classrooms and galleries to showcase new and emerging
local artists.
Continue to provide space in libraries and other County buildings
to display the work of local artists.
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Recommended